Partner Article

Future leaders go back to coalface

Future North East business leaders have been learning about the energy and environmental challenges facing the region during a visit to its newest surface mine development.

Delegates from the CBI North East’s Future Leaders programme paid a visit to The Banks Group’s Shotton surface mine on the Blagdon Estate in Northumberland, as part of a programme designed to help them understand the region’s energy and manufacturing issues.

After beginning the day at the nearby Alcan plant at Lynemouth, the 20-strong party moved on to the Blagdon Estate to hear presentations about Banks’ work in developing new renewable energy and sustainable property schemes in the region.

They then toured the Shotton site, to see how Banks deploys a range of technologies to make the mining process as efficient as possible and to minimise its environmental impact.

Sarah Green, Regional Director, CBI North East said: “The Future Leaders’ programme ensures that our region’s talent gets the opportunity to find out first-hand about other successful businesses within the region.

“The visit to the Banks Group’s surface coal mine amazed the group - hidden behind a screening bank was a huge, incredibly well managed, efficient and organised site providing energy to both other regional businesses and homes.”

The development will include the creation of a new public park based around ‘Northumberlandia’, a unique human form sculpted into the landscape by artist and designer Charles Jencks.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .